Northwest Transmission Line. Public open houses: Dease Lake, April 27, 2010 Smithers April 28, 2010 Terrace April 29, 2010

Transcription

1 Northwest Transmission Line Public open houses: Dease Lake, April 27, 2010 Smithers April 28, 2010 Terrace April 29,

2 Overview About BCTC Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) - Overview - Planned route - Right-of-way and structures Environmental Application overview Procurement Key milestones Questions 2

3 About BCTC Building on BC s electricity legacy Provincially-owned Crown corporation responsible for the electricity grid Long-term planning and day-to-day maintenance to ensure the grid meets electricity needs today and will help support economic development tomorrow Building the grid for a clean, green, prosperous future $5.3 billion, 10-year capital plan 3

4 The Transmission System Second largest grid in NW Pacific More than 18,500 km of transmission lines Close to 300 substations State of the art system control centre and backup facility 7 interconnections to Alberta and Washington State 4

5 Existing Northern Transmission System Key: Red: 500kv Blue: 287 kv Green: 230 kv Dark blue: 138 kv Black: 69 kv 5

6 Northwest Transmission Line Facts New 335 km (approx), 287 kv transmission circuit Estimated cost: $404 million Connecting Skeena Substation (near Terrace) to new substation to be built near Bob Quinn Lake Funding commitments: Prime Minister Harper announced $130 million for NTL in Sept Province included NTL in its March 2010 budget Province in discussions to secure an anchor tenant to contribute towards NTL costs 6

7 Potential Benefits Economic Promote development of new clean power projects Clean electricity supply for potential industrial developments Social Help connect some communities now using diesel generators to B.C. s electricity grid Environmental Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in northwest B.C. 7

8 Routing: Potential NTL General route location based on initial studies: North to New Aiyansh NE to join Hwy 37 corridor near Cranberry Junction Parallel Hwy 37 to Bob Quinn Lake Alternative routes: Nass Valley versus Cedar- Kiteen Valley Routing around Hanna- Tintina Wildlife area 8

9 Route Planning South of Meziadin Junction, much of new right-of way would parallel existing 138 kv circuit ROW (~ 209 km) From Meziadin Junction to Bob Quinn Lake new corridor (~ 126 km) Exact route and structure placement will incorporate: Results of environmental studies and environmental assessment Input from consultation with Nisga a Nation, First Nations and stakeholders, including private property owners Engineering design factors 9

10 Right-of-Way ROW width: ~ 38 m Extra one-time clearing, both edges 10

11 Right-of-Way (cont d) Overlapping ROW ROW width: ~ 58 m Extra one-time clearing on new edge only 11

12 Possible Structure Types 12

13 NTL Application for EA Certificate Results of studies conducted on a number of environmental and socio-economic topics. - Describes existing (baseline) conditions - Discusses potential positive and negative impacts of building and operating NTL - Proposes ways to mitigate potential negative impacts and enhance positive impacts Information on consultations with First Nations, Nisga a Nation, stakeholders and the public between 2007 and 2009 Detailed maps of proposed NTL route 13

14 Study Topics Fish & Aquatic Habitat Geotechnical &Terrain Hazards Wildlife & Wildlife Habitat Vegetation Ecosystems Archaeology & Heritage Resources Atmospheric Environment Surface Water & Groundwater Resources Terrain, Surficial Materials & Soils Wetland Ecosystems Land & Resource Use Socio-Economic Visual Resources & Aesthetics Human Health Transportation, Utilities & Navigable Waters Traditional Use/Traditional Knowledge 14

15 Fish & Aquatic Habitat Identify potential impacts on key species and habitat Some provisions include: - Avoiding in-water work - Erosion and Sediment Control plan - Spill Prevention & Emergency Response plan - Minimize disturbance to riparian vegetation - If required, fish habitat compensation program(s), developed under direction of DFO 15

16 Geotechnical & Terrain Hazards Route passes through challenging terrain; risk factors along route include avalanche, debris flows, flooding, landslides and more Some provisions include: - Avoid high risk areas - Design structures to withstand potential hazards - Implement structure protection measures, as required - Regular inspection and maintenance of access roads 16

17 Wildlife & Wildlife Habitat Identify potential impacts on key mammal, bird, amphibian and other species and their habitat Some provisions include: - Develop a Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan for construction - Avoid key ranges for moose, goat, etc. - Wildlife awareness training for crews working in areas of bear activity - Buffer zones around active dens and raptor nests - Minimize development of new roads and deactivate unnecessary roads following construction 17

18 Vegetation Ecosystems Identify potential impacts on terrestrial ecosystems and vegetation Some provisions include: - Where impact to western red cedar forest unavoidable, explore possible offset programs - Follow best practices to avoid fire risk and to minimize impacts when clearing in sensitive environments - Develop, implement plans to avoid introducing or spreading invasive species 18

19 Archaeology & Heritage Resources So far, have identified 5 sites protected by Heritage Conservation Act and one designated site (Dominion Yukon Telegraph Line) on the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine Community Heritage Register Some provisions include: - Conduct additional archaeological work/study, as needed - Establish an Archaeological Chance Find procedure for construction and site restoration phases - Work with RDKS concerning mitigation measures to be taken if project results in disturbance to Dominion Yukon Telegraph Line heritage sites 19

20 Atmospheric Environment Minimize, as much as practical, atmospheric impacts of project construction Some provisions include: - Control dust though measures such as use of blast mats; watering construction area and access roads in dry weather - Take reasonable measures to minimize unnecessary vehicle emissions - Environment Management Plan for construction, which will cover slash management and disposal and ensure compliance with Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation 20

21 Surface Water & Groundwater Resources Project route crosses more than 300 streams, as well as 3 community watersheds. 24 registered wells have been identified near the planned right-of-way, but no impacts anticipated. Some provisions include: - Follow best management practices to minimize impacts on streams and riparian areas - Monitor community watershed water quality during construction; advisory to community should changes in supply be noted 21

22 Terrain, Surficial Materials, Soils Determine locations of soils subject to erosion and compaction, and/or sensitive to disturbance Some provisions include: - Revegetate soils susceptible to erosion - Vegetate or install sediment barriers along waterways where required - Construction will take place under a number of management plans 22

23 Wetland Ecosystems Approximately 55 ha of wetlands within planned right-of-way Some provisions include: - When cannot avoid wetlands, inventory and map wetland extent during clearing; develop wetland compensation plan, where needed - Follow requirements of BC Forest Service s Riparian Area Management Guidebook - Once NTL built, follow line operating procedures developed for water course crossings and riparian vegetation management 23

24 Land & Resource Use Evaluate potential impacts on land users and activities Some provisions include: - Traffic control plans to minimize disruption to access by tenure holders - Access plan, including management of access to previously remote areas - Working with any impacted forest licensees, to resolve potential conflicts (if any) 24

25 Socio-economic Positive benefits include jobs created by construction and economic spin-offs for support services Potential impacts to be managed include pressure on housing and community services caused by influx of workers and construction impacts (noise, dust) on nearby residents Some provisions include: - Specific housing facilities (camps) for construction workers if required - Environmental best practices used to minimize dust, noise, etc - Keeping private land owners aware of construction activities on their land 25

26 Visual Resources & Aesthetics Evaluate potential Project impacts on aesthetics and viewscapes in parks, protected areas, wildlife viewing areas, etc. Provisions vary, but include: - Use of tree buffers - Following valley bottoms and lower slopes - Siting new line parallel to the existing 138 kv circuit 26

27 Human Health Evaluate potential impacts of Project on human health including construction issues such as noise, possible impacts on country foods, emission of particulates; and operating issues such as EMF levels Some provisions include: - Project construction plans around minimizing noise, dust, etc. - Follow applicable regulations and best practices around burning - Project designed to minimize EMF levels; EMF level will be well within International Health Authority guidelines 27

28 Transportation, Utilities, Navigable Waters Evaluate potential impacts on major transportation corridors Some provisions include: - Traffic management plan; advisories in local papers re any major road closures - Avoiding interference with airplane routes - Line/structure marking as required for air safety - Signage and control of any temporary disruption of traffic on navigable waterways 28

29 Traditional Use/Traditional Knowledge Unique information provided by First Nations and Nisga a Nation (cultural features; information related to activities such as hunting, trapping, gathering and fishing) is considered and incorporated into NTL Environmental Assessment Certificate Application and Project planning 29

30 Nisga a Nation & First Nations Consultation Provided capacity funding Ongoing consultations (led by BC Hydro Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations) with Nisga a Nation, and also with the following First Nations whose traditional territory could be impacted by NTL: Tahltan Nation as represented by the Tahltan Central Council Gitxsan Wilp: Tenim Gyet; Wii Hlengwax; Lelt; the independent Skii km Lax Ha Kitsumkalum First Nation and Kitsumkalum Band Gitanyow Wilp: Wii Litsxw; Malii; Gamlakyeltxw; Watakhayetswx Kitselas First Nation Metlakatla First Nation Lax Kw'alaams First Nation 30

31 Public Consultation Between 2007 and 2009: Public comment periods (Nov 2007 and March 2009) Meetings and communications with communities, regional districts, economic development groups and property owners near the proposed NTL corridor Three sets of public information meetings, including meetings during public comment periods Ongoing updates to interested individuals and groups Project website Moving forward: Application Review public comment period (April 26 June 10, 2010) Continue to provide project updates Pleased to meet with any interested stakeholder groups 31

32 Procurement BCTC will be seeking a Design Build contractor to design and construct the transmission line and substation - Procurement approach will be a two-stage process Request for Qualification (RFQ), to be posted on BCBid for a minimum of 4 weeks Short list up to 4 qualified and experienced contractors - Request for Proposal (RFP) To short-listed proponents only Successful proponent to design and construct transmission line and substation Opportunities for smaller contractors - Contact other contractors who have posted information on BC Bid NTL RFQ - Once BCTC has short-listed contractors, contact the short-list (contact info will be on BCTC web site) for potential subcontracting opportunities 32

33 Aboriginal Business Development Program BCTC makes contracting opportunities available to Aboriginalowned companies though the BCTC Aboriginal Business Development Program (ABDP) BCTC will make the ABDP registry available to short-listed contractors In evaluating proposals from short-listed contractors, BCTC will include weighting for inclusion of subcontracts or employment of local Aboriginals and Aboriginal businesses BCTC will also direct award some contracts to Aboriginal businesses for ROW clearing and road access 33

34 Moving forward key milestones 34

35 QUESTIONS? 35